Drywall sander is a power tool used to smooth joint compound, aka mud, on drywall after taping seams and screw holes.
Key features:
Long pole/handle: Most are pole sanders with 4-5 ft reach to hit ceilings/walls without a ladder
Round sanding head: ∼9" diameter, swivels to stay flat on the wall
Dust collection: Many models connect to a shop vac to capture dust at the source. Critical because drywall dust gets everywhere
Power source: Corded electric or cordless battery versions
Manual vs powered:
Manual pole sander: Flat pad on a pole, cheap, good for small patches
Powered orbital: Spins or vibrates the head, faster for whole rooms
Grit used: Usually 120-220 grit sandpaper or mesh screens. Mesh clogs less.
Used for: Final smoothing before priming/painting. Too aggressive and you’ll sand through the paper face of the drywall.